Town Talkback

Tax money is ``gushing out of the vault and onto the floor,'' but that isn't enough for Sen. Edward Meyer and most other Senate Democrats in Hartford.

Meyer, after voicing concern about his district's unfair share of education cost-sharing dollars and admitting his inability to see the logic in voting for a tax package without a consensus on spending, led the charge for the Democrats' 10.5 percent spending increase. Despite having said, ``We're being asked to vote for a revenue package without knowing how those revenues would be spent, something that I understand has not been done,'' and, ``You're buying a pig in a poke,'' Meyer went on to cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate for the largest tax increase since the income tax.

His explanation was simply: ``We [Democrats] need to stand together.'' Meyer's switch gave the Democrats 19 votes, a bare majority.

Meyer's vote for the Democratic budget was irresponsible. With a state surplus that has grown to almost $850 million this fiscal year, a tax bill that increases taxes on any state resident or business is unacceptable.

It's the bad votes, partisan politics and an obvious disregard for the constituents of the six towns that he agreed to represent that will cost Meyer his seat in '08.

Jay Berardino, Durham

HARTFORD

Memorial Day Turnout

Disgrace To Veterans

It is a shame that Hartford chooses not to honor our residents who have served their country in the military during the recent Memorial Day observances. Hartford has always sent soldiers off to fight for our rights and freedoms. From the revolution against Great Britain to Bush's latest war, Hartford men and women have given of themselves to fight for us all.

We don't even have the common decency to say "Thank you."

That's pathetic!

Gary Goldberg-O'Maxfield, Hartford

WEST HARTFORD

Absentee Ballots

Too Hard To Obtain

As a representative of a handicapped individual, I tried to deal with the issue of handicapped residents utilizing the absentee ballot system to vote in the June 12 referendum.

First, one must call in to get a pink form to request the absentee ballot. Second, one must then find and send an able-bodied individual in to pick it up. Third, one must ask the able-bodied person to return the form after it is filled out by the voter to verify the signature. Lastly, one must go back in with the pink sheet to pick up the actual ballot, which then needs to be dropped off to be counted.

This involves two town departments on different floors! Why? Not enough time was given by the council to do any of this by mail.

Handicapped residents and many of the elderly need more assistance and more time than has been allotted for this June 12 budget referendum in West Hartford. This new revaluation has become so complicated by the failures of our elected officials that I have lost all confidence in their decision making, and more so when I see them rushing the process to meet a July 1 deadline.

I would also like to question the government as to what protections are available through the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It is ridiculous that many need tax counseling from our town's tax department to figure out their property taxes. What's next? Free adult education in advanced calculus to figure out what we owe in property tax? It's all too much, too soon with too little representation! It is simply taxation without representation.

Linda DiNapoli, West Hartford

AREAWIDE

Praise For Vote

On Medical Marijuana

Kudos to those state House members who voted to protect Connecticut patients who use medical cannabis under the advisement of their physicians (``Marijuana Bill passes House,'' May 24). Since 1996, 12 states -- including Maine and Rhode Island -- have enacted similar legislation. Connecticut's seriously ill citizens deserve this same protection.

More than 35 years after Connecticut lawmakers initially passed legislation acknowledging cannabis' therapeutic value, patients who seek access to this medicine continue to face arrest and incarceration. House Bill 6715 seeks to shelter these individuals by exempting qualified patients from criminal prosecution by state and local law enforcement. Science and compassion dictate that we should not jail those whose only "crime" is seeking therapeutic relief from their pain and suffering.

Paul Armentano,

Washington, D.C.

The writer, a 1990 graduate of Simsbury High School, is the senior policy analyst of the NORML Foundation in Washington, D.C.

BURLINGTON

Government To Blame

For High Gas Prices

Let's put the blame for gasoline tax gouging where it belongs -- with the federal and state governments. According to reports, the oil companies make only 13 cents per gallon while the federal government reaps 18.4 cents per gallon. In Connecticut, the state collects about 25 cents per gallon while in California the tax is 40.2 cents per gallon.